Traction-engine.



B. HOLT. TRACTION ENGINE.-

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, I916- Patented Mar. 5, 1918.

f z 2272572 BOZZ M UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN HOLT, OF STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE HOLT MANUFAC-TURING COMPANY, OF STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA.

TRACTION-ENGINE.

Original application filed August 2, 1915, Serial No.

Specification of Letters Patent.

1916. Serial No. 82,691.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, BENJAMIN HOLT, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Stockton, in the county of SanJoaquin and State of California, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Traction-Engines, of which the following is aspecification. This invention relates to traction engines and pertainsespecially to traction engines and other vehicles of the self-layingtrack variety.

The particular object of the present invention is to provide a strong,rigid, non-collapsible track link and shoe for use in the self-layingtrack. I

Having reference to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a ,side-elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of two links coupled together.

Fig. 8 is a vertical, longitudinal section on line 33, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section on line 4.4, Fig. 2. I

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section on line 5-5, Fig. 2.

A is the main frame of the tractor, preferably constructed oflongitudinal channel iron sills, suitably cross braced to form a rigidstructure. The front end of the frame is spring supported on a steeringwheel 2 controlled from the drivers seat 3 at the I rear by the tillerwheel 4 and appropriate steering connections; the rear end'of the framebeing supported upon a pair of endless, flexible self-laying tracks B ofspecial construction. Each of these tracks is composed of articulatedinside and outside respective link sections 67, carrying removableoverlapping track shoes 8. Each link is made in two complementaryparallel parts having rail heads 9 on their inner edges formingcontinuous rails on which the truck wheels 10 mounted in rocking trucks11 are adapted to run. The inside link sections 6 are made with openspaces 12 in which spaces are accommodated the bolt heads of the bolts13 which unite the track shoes 8 to the links; the two companion partsof each link being connected across by a tie bar 14 through which thebolts 13 pass. The tie bars 14 have their ends slightly bent over theoutside of the links so as to add rigidity to the link structure. Thelinks and track shoes are further reinforced by the underneath plates16, which latter are disposed between the shoes and links. The outsidelinks 7 have openings 12 corresponding to the openings 12 in the insidelinks 6, and the track shoes are held in place by bolts 13 similarly asin the first instance, but instead of using the tie bars 14: asdescribed, there is employed the tie bolts 14 in conjunction with theangle braces 18 inserted in the spaces 12 and serving as 'a buttress tosupport the arch or rail head portion of the link; the bolts 13' passingup through the angle supports 18 as shown in Fig. 5.

The foregoing construction of link allows a comparatively light link tobe used and still to possess the requisite strength and stiffness.

The endless tracks B are adapted to pass around respective rear drivesprockets 21 and front idlers 22; the upper run of the belts beingsupported on idle rollers 23 carried on brackets 24, which are securedto the main frame A.

While I have particularly shown the invention as applicable to atraction engine, it is obvious that it is adapted to vehicles generallyof the self-laying track variety, whether tractors or trailer wagons.

This application is a division of my original application, Serial No.43073, series of 1915, filed August 2, 1915.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. An endless chain track for tractors,comprising a series of articulated link sections, each link section,embodying a side plate adapted to constitute a rail and having a sideopening, a track shoe, and a bolt lying in the plane of said sideopenlng and passlng through the side plate and the shoe to secure theshoe to the side plate.

2. An endless chain track for tractors, comprising a series ofarticulated link sections, each link section embodying a pan of spacedside plates respectively adapted to constitute rails and having sideopenings, a track shoe, bolts lying in the plane of said side openingsand each bolt passing through a side plate and the shoe to secure theshoe to the side plates and transverse bracing means connecting the sideplates.

3. An endless chain track for tractors comprising a series ofarticulated link sections, each link section embodying a pair of spacedside plates respectively adapted to constitute rails and having sideopenings,

. to the side plates, and a tie bar extending transversely through theopenings in the aide plates and secured in position by said 5. A linkfor an endless chain track of the character set forth, comprising a pairof spaced side plates respectively adapted to constitute rails andhaving side openings, a track shoe, bolts lying in the plane of saidside openings and each bolt passing through a side plate and the shoe tosecure the shoe to the side plates, and a tie bar extending transverselythrough the' openings in the side plates and having its ends overlap ingthe outer faces of the side plates, sai tie bar being secured inposition by said bolts.

6. A link for an endless chain track comprising apertured side platesforming rails,

removable bracing means secured in said apertures to support the upperportion of the plates, and means disposed in the plane of said plates tosecure the plates on a shoe.

7. A link 'for an endless chain track of the characterset forth,comprising a pair of spaced side plates respectively adapted toconstitute rails and having side openings, vertical bracing memberslying in the plane of and bridging the spaces in the respective sideopenings, a track shoe, bolts lying in the plane of said side openingsand connecting the vertical bracing members, side plates and shoetogether, and a transverse bracing member connecting said verticalbracing members.

8. A link for an endless chain track of the character set forth,comprising a side plate adapted to constitute a rail and having a sideopening, a vertical bracingmember lying in the plane of and bridging thespace in the side opening, a track shoe, and a bolt lying in the planeof said side opening and connecting the vertical bracing member, sideplate and shoe together.

9. A link for an endless chain track of the character set forth,comprising a side plate adapted to constitute a rail and havm a sideopening, a track shoe, and a bolt lying inthe plane of said sideopenlngand passing through the side plate and shoe to secure the side plate andshoe together.

10. A link for an endless chain track of the charater set forth,comprising a pair of spaced side plates respectively adapted toconstitute ralls and having side openings, a track shoe, bolts lying inthe plane of said side 0 enings and each .bolt passing through a sideplate and the shoe to secure the shoe to the side plates, and transversebracing means connecting the side plates.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

BENJAMIN HOLT.

Witnesses: i.

R. E. MANN, F. W. TARR.

